CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2012
| Author | Zilinska, Miroslava |
|---|---|
| Title | NARRATIONS OF WOMEN WHO USE DRUGS: TOWARDS A GENDER SENSITIVE APPROACH TO DRUG-RELATED SERVICES IN SLOVAKIA |
| Summary | This thesis explores the life story narratives and experiences of women who use illicit drugs in Slovakia. Based on content analysis of outreach reports, semi-structured interviews with women who use drugs and outreach workers from the NGO Odyseus, a wide variety of themes was identified. Women viewed themselves as failing in traditional femininity, which is described in terms of motherhood, housekeeping, heterosexuality and abstinence from drugs. Life stories were mostly narrated in a very negative and self-blaming way. Women who use drugs were mostly uncritical towards existing drug-related services in Slovakia, although according to their life stories, many of their needs are not met in these services. Still, they tend to view their failures in treatment programs as their own fault. The need for gender sensitivity in drug-related services in Slovakia was recognized, emphasizing that these programs work with stereotypes about women as well as about men and services with focus on transgender people is completely missing. Considering intersectionality, challenging gender stereotypes, showing acceptance and respect, and developing a process-oriented approach and comprehensive service were found to be the key aspects of creating effective, gender sensitive drug-related services in Slovakia. |
| Supervisor | Helms, Elissa |
| Department | Gender Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2012/zilinska_miroslava.pdf |
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